The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-08-14
AN INCENDIARY FIRE
Plays Havoc at Clarksburg---L Large
Amount Of Property Destroyed
In the Business Portion
OF the Town.

CLARKsBuRG, w. Va, August A.
Clarksburg's scorching is no longer
matter of prophecy, but sad fact
of history; eharred debris and black
ened walls mark the spot where
handsome residences and magnifi-
cent business houses decorated the
pretty streets of our prosperous city.
The fire is believed to be of incen-
diary origin, and was first discovered
in the Mills tinshop, on Main street,
about o'clock this morning This
building was more antique than ele-
CANT, and was composed of material
that would have commanded a good
price as kindling wood. The pro
prietor slept in his store, and when
awakened by the devouring flames
his body narrowly escaped being
numbered with the things that were.
He ran into the street dressed in his
robe de nude, leaving his money, pa
pers, watch and clothes at the mercy
of the fiery invader-his all, save his
hat and the garment in which he
fled, is total loss.
THE LOSSES.
The flames spread to the three
story brick building of Smith, Brown
Il Co, and although every inch of
the burned district was contested by
men as noble as ever formed a buck
ct brigade, yet this elegant struc-
ture succumbed to the destroyer.
The greater part of the dry goods
and groceries were removed, but in
the excitement the wool room in
which thirty thousand pounds of
fleeces were stored seems to have
been forgotten-a stock that would
have commanded ten thousand dol
lars in gold yesterday, could not be
used to-day as collateral in loan of
ten dollars Confederate money. The
loss to this firm is twenty-five thous-
and dollars and no insurance.
Other losses are as follows Odd
Fellows loss on building. $4,000,
insurance $4,000; John and w. p.
Twins residence, loss $4,000, insur-
ance ~, 500; Nathan Golf, $500, no
insurance; Wells Marble Works,
loss $4,000, insurance 1900
EXTENT OF THE DESTRUCTION.
DIR. j. S. Carr's drug store was
burned, but the stock was removed
and fully insured Many bottles
were broken and not a few emptied,
but not knowing the value of nux
vomica. degitales, bromides and
vermifuge, | cannot make an esti-
mate of his loss. w. Scott's loss on
his law library was about 5000.
The millinery goods of Mrs. +.
Hartman were removed from the
building. The bonnets, sacks and
ribbons were somewhat soiled after
kind hearted and blackened handed
friends had snatched them as
brands from the burning. The
large stock of hardware of G. B.
Spates was carried into the street as
a matter of caution, but as the fire
did not reach him he is doing bust
ness at the old stand The stocks
of other merchants were taken to
places of refuge, the middle of the
street being considered the safer and
more popular place of deposit.
AN EFFICIENT BUCKET BRIGADE
The work of destruction towards
the east extended as far as the neat
storeroom Of Col. Il. Spates, who has
one of the largest and most valua-
Bile stocks of silks and fancy dress
goods of any retail dealer in the
State. His stock ON hand amounts
to $50, 900, which was slightly dam
aged in the removal. Mr. Spates is
fully insured in Wheeling and other
companies. Parkersburg was asked
for aid and she quickly responded.
Her splendid engine and gallant
crew were met at CORVALLIS with
telegram expressing thanks and adj
vising that the flames were under
control, and engine and crew re-
turned.
We have neither an engine nor
water works, but we point with pride
to a bucket brigade than can fight
the fires Of the regions below.